A sinkhole has opened up in the 500 block of Market Street in downtown Knoxville, forcing officials to shut down the entire stretch between Clinch and Union avenues to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The closure hits a short but crucial piece of roadway just south of Market Square, where restaurants and small retailers count on steady crowds. City crews have fenced off the area and are working with utility partners to secure the site while engineers size up the damage. The block is expected to stay closed while repairs move forward.
According to WBIR, the sinkhole is centered in the 500 block of Market Street and the shutdown is projected to last through next week. WBIR reports that crews from the City of Knoxville and the Knoxville Utilities Board are coordinating on repairs and traffic control in the area, and confirms that the stretch between Clinch and Union avenues is the section affected by the collapse.
Why this block matters
Market Street runs along Market Square and Krutch Park, serving as a compact hotspot for downtown dining, shopping and frequent events. That means even a short closure can throw a wrench into weekend plans, deliveries and daily routines. The City of Knoxville regularly documents street closures and infrastructure work in the Market Square corridor and has a track record of responding to sinkhole and stormwater issues in the public right of way. That history helps explain why crews moved quickly to lock down the scene.
Traffic and business impacts
Drivers are being rerouted around the 500 block, and the closure has already shaken up pickup and delivery routes for multiple downtown businesses, according to WBIR. Pedestrians are being steered away from the immediate area while crews shore up the roadway. Commuters should brace for minor slowdowns on nearby streets as traffic patterns adjust during the repair period…